PRE-64 WINCHESTER M-70 IN .222 REM ?

[Litetrigger]

Winchester Pre-64 M-70 chambered for .222 Rem? Winchester M-70 aficionados will be quick to proclaim "Woah, Winchester never made a M-70 in .222" which is correct, so how this one came to exist is interesting. From its very beginning the .222 earned a reputation for accuracy but that reputation came about mainly because of its performance with Remington's M-722. Despite the new caliber's appeal Winchester fans would have nothing to do with the butt-ugly 722, so clever gunsmiths at Griffin & Howe devised ways to convert Winchester's M-70 .22 Hornet rifles to .222. The conversion was more complex than a simple rechambering job because of the odd case extraction and ejection of the Hornet bolt, plus converting the magazine system to feed the .222. Plus the looming possibility that the Hornet's smaller .223" bore might not shoot well enough with the larger .224" diameter of .222 bullets. So it cameabout M-70 .22 Hornets became .222 Hornets and the barrels so marked, and .222 ammo shot beautifully, on a par with Rem. 722's. The conversion must have become rather popular for a while as I've found three of them: one that I later had rebarreled to .223 Rem, and another shown here

 

[Nature Boy]

Such a cool rifle.

 

[horsemen61]

That’s awesome if only it could talk an amazing rifle @Litetrigger

 

[LoonWulf]

Very cool rifle and history!

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

Simply lovely! I sure wouldn't kick her out of bed for being in .222, but lately I've bitten by the Hornet bug.

BTW, the latest issue of American Rifleman includes an article by Rick Hacker on G&H.

 

[crestoncowboy]

New ones better. Ask 1968 Winchester

 

[PapaG]

That is about the only gun I'd trade my '53 Model 70 for.